Lady luck desserts Foyle College girls

The weather was unusually warm and sunny and everyone was looking forward to an exciting match.

Nerves got the better of both sides with a very tentative start. Both sides made mistakes and Foyle were taking their time to get into their stride.

After a settling in period, the Foyle girls started to attack the right with Alison Maybin making some excellent runs and tackling back well.

Captain Camilla Lyttle started to make her swift attacks and put the Carrick defence under some pressure. Carrick marked tightly and their centre back was proving difficult to beat for key striker Leanne Orr. Carrick had also found their feet and started to attack as well.

During the first half, Foyle had two unconverted penalty corners and Holly Rankin, Heather Manning and Abbie Parkhill made some great attacking runs but Carrick were not without their share of chances. The only thing stopping them scoring was outstanding keeper for Foyle, Hollie Lynch who played well all day.

With the game still scoreless at the break Foyle coach, Kerry Eakin inspired the girls with her half time pep talk. The Foyle girls raised their game and played lovely open hockey. Especially the back line of Hannah McAllister, Amy Chambers, Jade McCobb, Rachel Chambers and Caroline Chestnut. However, for all the attacking, the ball just would not go into the goals and the girls entered familiar territory, with 20 minutes of extra time to be played after the full time score was 0-0.

It was all or nothing in extra time for the Foyle girls, and stalwart of the midfield, Coral Lapsley, played some magnificent hockey.

Numerous times she delivered the ball into the Foyle attacking circle and numerous times, the goals were not converted, despite Bronagh McKinley always being in the perfect position to follow up with the second phase of attack.

The Carrick keeper was on form and Foyle's frustration started to show.

Extra time finished with no score and both teams were subjected to taking Penalty Flicks. After being beaten in the Cup competition with flicks it seemed that lightning would not strike twice for Foyle, but alas, it was not to be.

Lady luck was just not on Foyle's side and after dominating most of the match the girls are so disappointed to have lost yet again to Penalty Flicks.

However, the loss will make the girls hungry to win their League competition, with Ballymena to play away on Saturday and the girls have their Tour to London later in the month which will definitely give them something to look forward to after a disappointing Cup and Plate run.

Thanks to all the supporters who turned up for the match, the girls really appreciated all the support.